Bonhams’ sale this past weekend of a single-owner collection of 68 motorcycles generated nearly $1.6 million in sales with a 97 percent sell-through rate.
Eight of the motorcycles were MV Agustas, and several of the bikes were historically important racers, Bonhams noted in its post-sale news release.
The top-5 sellers were MV Agustas from the 1970s, led by a 1973 497.9cc Grand Prix racer that was among the last of the company’s 3-cylinder 500s and sold for $166,596 at the auction. The bike was a gift from Count Corrado Agusta to former MV racing team mechanic Lucio Castelli.
Nearly reaching six figures was a 1978 MV Agusta 750S America that had been ridden only 41 miles. The bike sold for $98,443.
Among other highlights, Bonhams noted that the 1970s were very popular with bidders. In addition to the top-5 MV Agustas, a 1975 Laverda 750SFC Elettronica brought $54,522 and a 1972 Kawasaki 903cc Z1 sold for $28,775.
A 1961 Beart-Norton Manx 350cc raced in the Isle of Man TT by James Guthrie and Joe Dunphy sold for $68,153 after “a spirited bidding battle” and the ex-Harry Lamacraft 1939 Velocette 348cc KTT Mrk VIII racer brought $66,638.
“We are very pleased with the results of this sale,” Bonhams’ director of motorcycles, Ben Walker, was quoted in the news release. “We offered an incredibly impressive range of machinery, from vintage tourers to ultra-modern superbikes, and nearly every lot found a new owner.
“The top prices realized indicate that the collectors’ market remains buoyant. This is good news as we head toward our busiest period of the year with our annual Autumn Stafford Sale on the 13th and 14th October and our sale of collectors’ motorcycles at the Barber Museum, Alabama, on the 6th October.”
Top-10 sales, Bonhams Alexandra Palace 2018
- 1973 MV Agusta 497.9cc Grand Prix, $166,596
- 1978 MV Agusta 750S America, $98,443
- 1971 MV Agusta 750S, $89,356
- 1978 MV Agusta 861 Magni, $78,754
- 1978 MV Agusta 832CC Monza, $75,725
- 1961 Beart-Norton Manx 350cc, $68,153
- 1939 Velocette 348cc KTT Mark VIII, $66,638
- 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight, $65,124
- 1975 Laverda 750SFC Elettronica, $54,522
- 2015 Kawasaki 998cc H2R, $40,134
(Prices include buyer’s fee.)
